PTA responds to reports of blocking VPNs in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has finally responded to reports regarding the blocking of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the country where people are using them for accessing X and other platforms.

PTA in a statement clarified that it is lawfully authorized to conduct such blockings if the directives are issued by the government of Pakistan.

It said the VPNs can be whitelisted by following an automated process available on the official websites of PTA and Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB).

Such blockings aims to protecting IT services and online business in the country and ensuing that legitimate users can continue their operations without any interruption.

The PTA response comes after its chairman, Major General (R) Hafeez Rahman, told the Senate Standing Committee on IT & Telecom that the authority has started whitelisting of VPNs to curb unauthorised services in the country.

He also pointed out that VPNs could be blocked in the country but such drastic measures could hurt the online businesses in the country.